---
title: "Chip: meaning in gemology"
description: "A chip is a shallow opening in the surface, caused by damage. It is usually at the girdle edge, a facet junction or the culet."
url: https://digitalgemology.com/learn/glossary/chip
image: https://digitalgemology.com/img/og-digital-gemology.png?v=d224fb01
---

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[Glossary](https://digitalgemology.com/learn/glossary) · Clarity characteristics

# Chip

Also called chips

A chip is a shallow opening in the surface, caused by damage. It is usually at the girdle edge, a facet junction or the culet.

## In more detail

Thin girdles and pointed ends chip most easily. A culet facet exists to protect the point from chipping.

## On a grading report

Drawn in red on the clarity plot of a full GIA report and named in the key to symbols. A Dossier has no plot but can name it in its list of up to four.

## Related terms

- [Girdle thickness](https://digitalgemology.com/learn/glossary/girdle-thickness): Girdle thickness is how thick the girdle is at its thinnest and thickest points. A report gives it as a range of words, such as "Thin to Medium".
- [Culet](https://digitalgemology.com/learn/glossary/culet): The culet is the bottom point of the pavilion. It can also be a tiny facet, parallel to the table, that keeps the point from chipping.
- [Bruise](https://digitalgemology.com/learn/glossary/bruise): A bruise is a tiny area of impact damage with very small, root-like feathers. It usually sits at a facet junction.
- [Inclusion](https://digitalgemology.com/learn/glossary/inclusion): An inclusion is a clarity characteristic inside a diamond, or one that reaches the surface from inside.

## Learn more

- [The diamond culet: none, pointed or large](https://digitalgemology.com/learn/diamond-anatomy/diamond-culet)
- [Diamond girdle thickness: thin, medium, thick and what it costs you](https://digitalgemology.com/learn/diamond-anatomy/diamond-girdle-thickness)

[All 328 terms](https://digitalgemology.com/learn/glossary)